Wardrobe hanger bar



July 7, 1970 F. P. BRENNAN WARDROBE HANGER BAR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1968 A '7 TOR N15 Y-S y 7, 970 F. P. BRENNAN 3519,13

WARDROBE HANGER BAR Filed March 22,, 1968 2 SheetsSheet 2 United States Patent 3,519,139 WARDROBE HANGER BAR Francis P. Brennan, 1057 Rolling Drive, Lisle, II]. 60532 Filed Mar. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 715,333

Int. Cl. B65d 85/18 US. Cl. 211124 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hanger bar having a channel shaped bar member with a transverse inverted U-shaped support at each end attaining a high strength-to-weight ratio and a high degree of safety through the provision of outwardly projecting ridges along the hanger bar, a transverse ridgenotch-ridge configuration around the base of the U in the end supports and further notches in the outer edges of the portion of the end supports corresponding to the base of the U. In one modification a locking device is secured atop the hanger bar by bending over prongs projecting upwardly from the modified hanger bar through holes in the locking device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to hanger bars and more particularly to hanger bars having special utility with Wardrobe receptacles used extensively in the moving industry.

The prior art The prior art is exemplified by my prior US. Pat. No. 3,306,465, issued Feb. 28, 1967, wherein I disclosed a hanger bar including a locking cap arrangement.

Because of the increased stresses which moving receptacles must undergo in modern day transportation sys terns and because of the trend to make such containers of a more lightweight and disposable nature, the need has arisen for further improvements therein. However, if the strength of the hanger bars of the prior art is increased to meet these new demands by increasing their size and thickness or by using a stronger and more expensive material, then weight and/or costs go up and expendability is sacrificed. Similarly, if the weight is reduced to give expendability, strength goes down and costs go up.

Another consideration which has alway been important in wardrobe construction is prevention of damage to the contents of the wardrobe. Since the greatest amount of damage is caused by movement of the goods in the box, it is the aim of this invention to attain maximum stability of the wardrobe carton contents through the improvements of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a wardrobe hanger bar construction utilizes a channel-shaped crossbar member which extends between opposite sides of a wardrobe carton and is supported on each end by end supports which, being of an inverted U-shaped cross section, straddle the upper edges of the opposite sides.

I have discovered that configuring the crossbar member so that in cross section it appear as an inverted U-shape with opposed, outwardly bowed ridges along the free edges of the sides whereby the free edges are in spaced opposed relationship and lie in substantially the same plane gives the following results:

First, there is a tremendous increase in the beam strength of the crossbar member whereby the strength-toweight ratio of the structure in increased.

3,519,139 Patented July 7, 1970 Secondly, the exposure to hands and clothes of what may possibly be a relatively sharp or burred free edge is greatly reduced, thus increasing the safety to user and contents.

Thirdly, the outwardly bowed ridges make the hanger bar member more nearly conform to the configuration of the hangers which it supports thereby minimizing movement of the hangers in a direction transverse to the length of the bar member and in turn reducing transit damage.

Further, I have found that providing transverse notches in the portion of the end support corresponding to the base of the U not only increases rigidity of the end support, but also provides a keying action that prevents movement of the support along the edge of the carton when the notch is pressed into the carton edge. In connection with the transverse notches it also was discovered that providing an outwardly bowed ridge in the side of the end support at each end of the transverse notch so that the ridges flank each end of the notch, made for even greater rigidity of the end support structures. The re:- sultant ridge-notch-ridge structure imparts much greater strength and rigidity to the end support while giving the additional keying function.

It is further contemplated that the provision of notches in the outer edge of the portion of the end support corresponding to the base of the U increases the bending resistance of the U-shaped end support and cooperates 'with the transverse notch in preventing movement of the end support along a supporting surface. In addition, this notch increases the bending resistance of the outer side of the end support against outwardly directed forces and thereby eliminates undesirable distortion during service. Again, the strength-to-weight ratio of the end support is considerably increased.

Further, it has been found through an improved construction thereof, to automatically center the end support on the normally double thickness supporting surface of the wardrobe. This allows great flexibility of use on supporting surfaces of varying thicknesses. The side edge notches cooperate to assist in this centering action of the end support.

Providing an opening in one side of the end support not only facilitates the attachment of the hanger bar but additionally allows a visual check of the seating of the end support on the supporting surface.

The present invention may be utilized in connection with a new and improved locking device which, through the use of upstanding prongs on the hanger bar that project through mating holes on a coextensive locking bar, clamps the hangers against movement.

In summary, this invention comprises improvements in a hanger bar structure adapted to be used in a wardrobe carton for bearing hangers thereon. The hanger bar comprises an elongated channel shaped bar member having a top with two sides depending therefrom, each of said two sides having a lower portion with a free edge and an end support attached to each of the opposite ends of said bar member. Each end support is of an inverted U-shaped cross section having an upper surface bounded by inner and outer opposite side edges and opposite end edges. An inner side depends from the inner side edge and an outer side depends from the outer side edge. An outwardly projecting ridge extends along the lower portion of the bar member sides so that the free edges of said sides are curled toward each other and lie in substantially the same horizontal plane thereby increasing the beam strength of said hanger bar and minimizing the exposure of the free edges. The top surfaces of the end supports have transverse notches whose ends are flanked by outwardly bowed ridges in the inner and outer sides. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of transverse notches is provided for each end support with one notch located near each end of the end support. Further notches in each of the end edges provide resistance to movement of the end support along the supporting surface while also providing a centering action. Additional notches in the outer side edge increase the bending resistance of the outer side. An access hole in the outer side opposite the point of attachment to the hanger bar member facilitates the joining of said member to the end supports. In one modification of the hanger bar construction, prongs project upwardly from the top surface and are received through holes in a locking device which in use overlies said bar member and comprises an inverted U-shaped channel having an upper wall substantially the same width as the top of said member and depending side walls lying in approximately the same plane as said member side walls. Securernent of the locking device is accomplished by a bending of the prongs to a position atop the locking bar.

FIG. 1 is a fragementary perspective view of a typical wardrobe carton incorporating the invention with several typical hangers shown in position thereon;

FIG. 2 is a vertical end view, partly in section, of the hanger bar taken along the line IIII in FIG. 1 showing a typical hanger in position on the hanger bar member;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 showing the invention without the hangers;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the hanger bar taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 3 with the carton removed showing the connection of the end support with the hanger bar member and the notches and ridges which form a part of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical end-view of the hanger bar of FIG. 1 showing the access opening as well as the notches and ridges of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wardrobe carbon and a partially exploded hanger bar incorporating the locking device invention with several typical wire hangers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There is shown in FIG. 1, a typical corrugated cardboard wardrobe carton 10 having two oppositely positioned pairs of side walls 11, 11, and 12 and 12'. Between one pair of the side walls 12, 12 is suspended a novel wardrobe hanger bar generally indicated as 14 for receiving a number of hangers 16.

It will be understood that the wardrobe 10 is provided with a conventional longitudinal opening, and with a bottom construction and further with a cover, normally in the form of an open-bottom cardboard box of slightly greater sidewall dimensions than the sidewalls 11, 11', 12, 12' of the Wardrobe 10.

In accordance with the invention, the hanger bar construction 14 comprises an elongated channel shaped bar member generally indicated at 18 having end supports 20 and 22 attached to the opposite ends thereof. As may be best seen in FIG. 2 the channel shaped bar member 18 has a top 24 and two depending sides generally indicated at 26 and 32. Outwardly projecting ridges 28 and 34 extend along the lower edges of the sides 26 and 32, respectively, so that the free edges and 36 are curled into a position facing each other whereby they will ordinarily lie in substantially the same horizontal plane. The close proximity of ridge 34 to the hanger 16 may be noted here. Attached at either end of the hanger bar 18 are end support members 20 and 22 normally in a position straddling the upper edge of the carton sides 12 and 12'. The end support members 20 and 22 are shown as having an inverted U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross section. Since both end support members are shown as being similar, only one need be described as is shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. The inverted U-shaped configuration of the end supports may be best seen in FIG. 3 wherein 40 designates the base of the U while 41 and 42 designates the sides of the U. The portion 40 is bounded by opposite side edges 40a, 40b and opposite end edges 40c, 40d with side 41 depending from the inner side edge 40b and side 42 depending from the outer side edge 40a. Notches 43 and 48 extend transversely across the upper surface 40 from side edge 40a to 40b. Situated at opposite sides of the notches 43 and 48 are the outwardly projecting ridges 44, 46 and 50, 52, respectively, which cooperate to rigidify the end support and keep sides 41, 42 in fixed relation to each other. It is emphasized that it is this combination of the notch with the flanking ridges at each end thereof that produces a very high strength-to-weight ratio. Further, when the end support straddles the upper edges 12, 12' of the carton the undersides of notches 43, 48 cut into the cardboard to prevent movement of the end support along the edge. It can be seen that the greater the weight hung from the hanger bar the greater the resistance to movement will be.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the bar is seated on the edges 12, 12' of the carton. Of particular importance in this view is the cooperation of the end notches, shown here by 56, 58, with the upper edge of the carton Wall 12. Not only does the wedging action of the notches 56, 58 prevent movement along the top of the edge support, but it also serves to center and thereby properly seat the end support on the supporting surface whereby even contact with the supporting surface is assured. Although the configuration of the notch 58 as shown is best suited for the typical corrugated cardboard construction of the wardrobe, other shapes may work better on different materials. The depth of the notch likewise must be such that adequate movement resistance and centering action is provided.

In FIG. 4 a bottom view of the end support 20 and cross bar member 18 shows the end support as it would come down to seat upon the supporting surface. The additional notches 60 and 62 in the end support edge 40a may be seen. Notches 60 and 62 act as additional reinforcement to keep the outer side 42 in a fixed angular relation with portion 40 thereby resisting the outward bursting force which might occur adjacent the top edges 12 and 12'. In addition, the notches 60 and 62 serve a collateral function in cases where the supporting surface may be slightly thinner than the distance between the sides 41, 42. In these instances the notches function to move the material into a position whereby the centering notches 56 and 58 will be most effective.

The joint between the cross bar member 18 and the end supports 20, 22 is similar to that shown in my prior Pat. No. 3,306,465, however, it has been found that in some cases an additional connection means such as represented in FIG. 5, for example, by spot weld 68, is helpful to meet higher wardrobe construction requirements. In these cases an access opening 66, as is shown best in FIG. 5, has been found to greatly facilitate the provision of this additional fastening means. The opening 66 in side 42, as is shown extending up to the edge 40a also provides an additional 'visual check of the seating of the end support on the supporting surface. Opening 66 to be effective in making the connection shown will usually be positioned opposite the point of connection of the cross member bar 18 to the end supports 20 and 22.

In FIG. 6 at 114 a further embodiment of the present invention is shown including a locking device. Again a typical wardrobe box having sides 111, 111', 112, and 112 is shown having a wardrobe hanger bar construction similar to the invention heretofore set out except for the provision of the prongs 174, 178 and the inverted U- shaped locking device bar, generally indicated at 170. The locking device bar has spaced holes 176 and therein. The prongs 174 and 178 are spaced along the wardrobe bar member 118 and as shown may be near each end. The

number and spacing of these prongs, however, may be more or less. Although in the preferred embodiment the prongs are shown struck out from the upper surface of the bar 118 they need not be so made. Preferably they should be of bendable material so that when the locking bar 170 is placed in position with the prongs 174, 178, projecting through the openings 176 and 180 respectively they may be conveniently bent over to effectuate the locking of the bar. The locking bar device 170 is of a construction similar to that shown in my prior Pat. No. 3,306,465 wherein the upper wall thereof has substantially the same width as the top of said cross bar member and the depending side walls lie in approximately the same plane as said cross bar member. Thus, when the locking device is secured there is no give space between the hanger 116 and hanger bar assembly so that the hanger is clamped against movement.

In operation the hanger 116 is positioned on the cross member 118 which has been segregated into different areas by the prongs 174 and 178. When the hangers have been positioned, the locking device 170 having holes 176 and 180 spaced in conformity with the upstanding rongs is dropped so the prongs extend through the corresponding holes and with the member 170 in firm engagement with the hangers 116, the prongs 174 and 178 are bent over to effectuate the lock. It can be seen that failure to bend over the prongs may be readily checked and in fact may preclude the closing of the box thereby functioning in effect as a safety device. In addition, when the top of the carton is closed it bears against the bent-over prongs to assure that they will not unbend even under the severest of loads. Also, with the prongs exposed above the locking bar, the inlet and removal of the locking device is clearly obvious to someone unfamiliar with the construction. Moreover, the accessible position above the bar makes unlocking more convenient with all the hangers in position. Additionally, the division of the cross bar member into segregated areas prevents movement of the hangers therealong and in some loading conditions may be more convenient.

As is now apparent, a new and improved hanger bar construction for a moving wardrobe carton which provides an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio and the other advantages set forth above in which in one modification there is provided greater security against disengagement of the hangers during movement of the carton. The described hanger bar is easily operated and is capable of economical construction.

Although modifications might be suggested by those skilled in the art, it will be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent described herein all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a wardrobe hanger bar, an elongated hanger bar for supporting hangers therefrom, having a central axis and an end support fastened to each respective end of said hanger bar for supporting said hanger bar on the walls of a corrugatedcardboard wardrobe carton, each said end support comprising a sheet-form member shaped in an inverted U-shaped configuration and having a base wall and two side walls depending therefrom in spaced parallel relation, said base wall of said end support having a pair of spaced transverse notches dispersed on opposite sides of the central axis of said cross bar, said transverse notches being embossed in said base wall to extend transversely completely across said base wall and downwardly into the space between said two side walls thereby to deformably engage the adjoining upper edges of the carton and stabilize the support of the bar thereon, each said side wall having an outwardly extending embossment forming a flanking ridge in alignment with said notches to improve the strength-to-weight ratio of the end supports.

2. In a hanger bar structure adapted to be used in a wardrobe carton for hearing hangers thereon, an elongated channel shaped bar member having a top with two sides depending therefrom, each of said two sides having a lower portion with a free edge, an end support attached to each opposite end of said bar member, each said end support being of an inverted U-shaped cross-section havmg an upper planar portion bounded by inner and outer opposite side edges and opposite end edges, an inner side depending from the inner side edge, said inner side being attached at a central portion thereof to said elongated channel shaped bar member, an outer side depending from the outer side edge, said upper planar portion of said end supports having at least one transverse notch therein extending from said inner side edge to said outer side edge, an additional reinforcing means integrally formed in said inner side and said outer side at the respective ends of said transverse notch, said transverse notch creating a tooth-like structure in the underside of the upper planar portion of the U-shaped member that is adapted to dig into the edge of the wardrobe carton to prevent movement of the hanger bar therealong.

3. A hanger bar construction according to claim 2 wherein there are provided at least a pair of said transverse notches in said upper portion of the end support extending from said inner side edge to said outer side edge and wherein said additional reinforcing means includes said ends of each of said transverse notches intersecting said inner and outer side edges being flanked by outwardly bowed ridges rigidly formed in the inner and outer sides whereby the bending resistance and stability of the end support is further increased.

4. The hanger bar construction according to claim 3 wherein said upper planar portion has at least one guide notch in said outer side edge and a centering notch in each of said opposite end edges.

5. A hanger bar construction according to claim 4 wherein a guide notch in the outer side edge is provided adjacent each transverse notch.

6. A hanger bar construction according to claim 5 wherein the free edges of said sides are bent toward each other and lie in substantially the same horizontal plane.

7. A hanger bar construction according to claim 6 wherein end notches are provided on opposite end edges of said upper planar portion of said end support.

8. A hanger bar construction according to claim 7 wherein said outer side of said end support has an access opening in a position opposite to the central area of attachment of said inner side to said cross bar member.

9. A hanger bar construction according to claim 8 wherein said cross bar has bendable deformable prongs 1n said upper surface thereof and spaced therealong, and wherein said hanger bar structure further includes an inverted U-shaped locking device bar, said locking device bar having an upper wall thereof of substantially the same width as said cross bar member, and side walls depending therefrom, said locking device bar member having holes conforming in number and spacing to the prongs, said prongs adapted to project through said bar holes whereby the locking device bar may be securely locked by deforming the prongs.

10. A hanger bar construction according to claim 2 wherein an outwardly projecting ridge extends along the lower portion of each of said bar member sides, the free edges of said sides being curled towards each other and lying in substantially the same horizontal plane.

11. A hanger bar construction according to claim 2 wherein said cross-bar member has prongs struck out therefrom projecting upwardly to a height above said upper portion of said end supports, an inverted U- shaped locking device having an upper wall and depending side walls, said device lying along and over said bar and having holes receiving said prongs whereby said device may be attached to said member by bending said prongs into a locking position substantially flush with the level of the upper portion whereby hangers will be securely locked against movement and whereby the wardrobe carbon top will keep said prongs from loosening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Dunham 211-123 XR Brown.

Field.

Sitrin.

Brennan 211123 8 2/1967 Brennan 211--124 4/1968 Crowl 211-123 FOREIGN PATENTS 6/1963 Canada.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner A. FRANKEL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

